Make-Ahead Recipes
Holiday Sangria
Infused with cranberry, orange, and apple, this make-ahead cocktail is a festive crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving and all of your holiday celebrations. Looking for a signature drink to complement a festive menu or take to a holiday gathering? Enter the following sangria. This jewel-hued beverage will serve you well from Halloween through New…
Pumpkin and Black Bean Soup
This super-healthy, stick-to-your-ribs, vegan soup is easy to customize and makes a big batch － perfect for easy dinners and packable lunches all week long. Freezes well, too! First, I must tell you that my husband does not care for pumpkin in savory recipes like sauces or soups — but he adores this…
Roasted Pumpkin Butter
Naturally sweetened and perfectly spiced, this foolproof, no-scorch recipe adds something special to toast, oatmeal, yogurt, baked goods and more. Plus it freezes well and makes a lovely gift. If you’ve never made pumpkin butter before, this foolproof recipe is reason to start! The flavor of homemade pumpkin butter is truly in a…
3-Ingredient Teriyaki Brussels Sprouts & Lentil Stir Fry
Inspired by a Trader Joe’s shortcut recipe but using ingredients anyone can find, this protein-rich, plant-based meal is a dream on a busy night. Enjoy it as is or use the recipe as a framework and customize to taste. You may have read one of my recent mentions about my older son. He’s…
Waldorf Chicken Salad
Loaded with lean protein and fresh produce, this hearty salad perfectly balances savory and sweet ingredients while hitting all the right texture notes. Enjoy as a packable lunch or easy dinner! Waldorf salad always reminds me of my grandmother. It was the first non-baked good she taught me how to make－I was probably…
One Pan Teriyaki Salmon & Vegetables
One shortcut ingredient adds ease and loads of flavor to this heart-healthy, veggie-rich dinner that cooks in a single pan. My family gives this meal high marks, and it may just become a favorite with your family too! People often ask me if I will ever run out of recipes, and the easy answer is…
Corn Dog Poppers (or Cornbread)
A bite-size twist on a perennial favorite that’s more cornbread than hot dog and is a fun accompaniment to soups, stews, and salads. (With standard muffin and square pan option too.) Somehow I got through my entire childhood and much of adulthood without ever eating a corn dog! For anyone who may be similarly in…
Unstuffed Pepper Skillet Dinner
Looking for more simple but satisfying weeknight dinners? This family-friendly, one-pan meal brings all the great flavors of the traditional preparation with a fraction of the work. (Dare I say you may even like it better!) Who can resist a satisfying, all-in-one meal? The convenience is undeniable and, in this case, the flavor replicates…
Matcha Smoothie
A deliciously filling meal replacement that’s loaded with superfoods and quality protein－plus it’s perfectly sweet but the sugars are kept in check. You don’t need to like matcha to love this smoothie! 💚 You may THINK you’re not a matcha fan, or perhaps you’ve never tried it. (But stay with me!) This vibrantly green smoothie…
Budget Sushi Bowls (with canned tuna)
Eating well on a shoestring budget is easy with these flavor-packed bowls, which conveniently rely on canned tuna. Perfect for a speedy weeknight meal or packable lunch! 🍚🥢 Don’t you love it when an easy meal is greeted as though you slaved away for hours? In our house, this is that sort of…
Make-Ahead Savory Breakfast Bowls
Simple meal-prep is rewarded with wholesome, grab-and-go meals for the week, which can customized and topped to taste. They’re equally satisfying as a packable lunch or easy dinner, too. For the first time ever, my older son John has to fend for himself for every single meal – in a new city with no…
Tomato and Seared Garbanzo Salad
Garden fresh tomatoes meet the humble can of beans in this healthy, protein-rich salad. Two additional pantry items supply unparalleled flavor with ease.🍅 Schools may be back in session and pools may have closed for the year, but salad season hasn’t officially ended! Besides, tomatoes are still at their prime－I seem to pick…
